Roller leveler machine



Get. 14, 194?. L. R. THoMAs 2,42%2

ROLLER LEVELLER MACHINE Filed May 12, 1944 e Sheets-sheet 1 4 mm'vron. ,wm E THOMAs S A M O H R L ROLLER LEVELLER MACHINE Filed May 12, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Z40 V0 720M145 Get. 14, 1947. L. R. THOMAS 2,429,142

ROLLER LEVELLER MACHINE Filed May 12, 1944 e sheets-sheet 3 'ENTOR.

H J BY flora 6? 720M145 w WWMKW Oct. 14, 1947.

L. R. THOMAS ROLLER LEVELLER meanw- Filed May 12, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 will be the deflection of the rolls.

yatented @et. it; 3%?

fifi tibm ROLLER EEWEEER MAGWE ways R. Thomas, vtemttwn,

'llhe Youngstown lto pany, Youngstown, @hio Application May i2 i8 @laima.

by progressively rolling out these corrugations until at the exit end of the machine the sheet is level and in a so-called plastic condition or free from set. The plastic condition is brought about by the reverse flexing of the material as it passes through the roller leveler. Other con ditions being the same, the smaller the diameter and the closer together the work rollers of the roller leveler are, the shorter will the closer they are together for any given width of machine, the smaller will be the roll necks and the higher will be the bearing loads with the disadvantages incident thereto and the greater less when the material is plastic or free from set,

within a limited time after being the set" reoccurs therein and removed prior to made plastic, must be again fabrication, which accounts for the extensive use of roller levelers by fabricaters.

' The principal object of the presentinvention is the provision of a novel and improved roller leveler, the work rolls of which will be relatively small and have relatively large necks and low however, if the sheets are not fabricated Ohio, assignor to midi-y and Machine. Com- Qhio, a corporation of teen, Serial No. 535,387

for frictionally driven therefrom, which back-up rollers are mounted in individual housings or the equivalent thereof and continuously urged into contact with the work rolls so as to be in contact therewith atall times and continuously driven thereby, thus eliminating chafing and scoring of the rolls and rollers due to a difference in speed therebetween.

deflection and deflection of the work rolls is pro vided for by individually self-adjusting bearings of special construction for the work rolls and by frictionally driven back-up rollers so arranged that they are continuously in contact with the work rolls, thus minimising or eliminating chafing and wear therebetween.

The invention resides in certain constructions and apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention hereinafter described with reference to the acters designate corresponding parts-and in which: Fig. 1 is a front eievational view, with portions broken away, of a roller leveler embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a right-hand elevational view of the roller leveler shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken longitudinally through the machine shown in Fig. 1, the left half being approximately on the lines 33 and the right half being approximately on the lines fizz-3a of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view approximately on the lin t-t of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view approxi-- mately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

1 Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view approximately on the line 6-6 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view approximately on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view sometion of roll bearing; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view, with portions in elevation, approximately on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

herein shown and described as embodied in a 3" x 72" x 4 high roller leveller having two banks of back-up rolls for each set of work rolls;

3 nowever, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction shown herein, which consruction is intended to be merely illustrative of the invention.

Generally speaking, the frame of the roller leveler shown is made of welded-up steel plates, ztc., and comprises a base or bed A, a lower roll nousing B in which the lower set of work rolls comprising a plurality of rolls arranged in tandem relation are rotatably supported, and an upper roll housing D which carries the upper set of work rolls E which also comprises a plurality of rolls aranged in tandem relation. The lower roll housing B rests upon the right-hand end of the bed A and is secured thereto as by the bolts 9, and the upper roll housing D is carried by the housing B. The sets of work rolls are so arranged n ofiset relation that they define or form a sinuous pass therebetween for the material to be processed thereby and the upper housing D is movable vertically with respect to the lower housing B so that the distance between the lower and upper sets of work rolls, or in other words, the height of the "pass can be varied to accommodate material of different gauge or thickness. The base A, as viewed in Fig. 1, extends to the left of the housing B and forms a support for a drive for the work rolls, which drive includes a gear box F and an electric motor G. The drive per se forms no part of may be of any conventional construction. Suffice it to say that all of the work rolls are connected thereto by couplings, designated generally by the reference character H, in such a manner that the upper and lower work rolls are simultaneously driven in opposite directions upon actuation of the motor G. The motor G is connected to the mechanism in the gear box F by a flexible belt or the like and the motor is pivotally supported so as to provide means for adjusting the flexible member.

The lower set of work rolls C, as-shown, comprises eight relatively long narrow rolls l0 horizontally arranged, one behind the other, and oilset with respect to th upper work rolls ll, of which there are nine, in such a manner as to form therewith a sinuous pass for the material being processed. The ends of the work rolls are reduced so as to form necks through the medium of which the rolls are rotatably supported in bushings l2 fixed in individual bearing blocks. The bearing blocks 13 for the lower work rolls ID are generally rectangular in cross-section, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 7, with the ends thereof adjacent to the -passcurved in a manner shown in the aforesaid figures to provide clearance for the upper bearing blocks l3, thus permitting the work rolls to be moved extremely close together for processing very light sheets. I The lower bearing blocks l3 are located side by side upon a longitudinally extending member l4, which member iormsa part of the lower roll housing B. The lower sides of thebearing blocks l3, that is the sides thereof which engage the member M, are semi-cylindrical, being curved about an axis extending lengthwise of the pass."

and engage within a semi-cylindrical trough in the upper surface of the member M, which trough extends substantially the length thereof. The

bearing blocks l3 are more or less loosely held in the aforesaid position on the member It by end members or blocks l5 and I6 fixedly secured to the member I! and engaging the otherwise free sides of the end bearing blocks l3, and by bolts [1, one for each of the bearing blocks 13,

the present invention and' 4 threaded into suitably tapped apertures in the underside of the bearing blocks and projecting downwardly through enlarged holes IS in the member H. The lower ends of the bolts H are provided with iamb'nuts 20, 2| which provide means'for adjusting the force exerted by spring washers 22 interposed between the lamb nuts 2|! and washers 23 engaging the underside of the member H.

The upper work rolls I l are carried by a longitudinally extending member 24 similar to the member M, which member 24 forms a part of the upper roll housing D. The upper bearing blocks 13' are similar in construction to the lower bearing blocks 13 and are secured to the member 24 in a manner similar to that in which the lower bearing blocks are secured to the member (4, and the corresponding bolts, etc., are designated by the same reference characters with a prime mark afiixed thereto. The upper bearing blocks l3 are loosely held between end members or blocks 25 and 26 fixed to the member 24. The construction of the supports for the work rolls l0 and H is such that as they flex incident to the passage of material therebetween, the bearing blocks for both the upper and lower rolls may shift or rotate slightly about an axis extending longitudinally of the pass," with the result that the roll necks always align with their bearings and the provision of excessive clearance therebetween and their bushings or bearings is eliminated. The fact that the bearing blocks for the upper and lower sets of work rolls are placed side by side permits the roll necks to be made relatively large. Reference to the drawings will show that there is very little metal between adjacent roll necks of either set of work rolls as it is only necessary to provide sufficient strength to prevent the bearing block from breaking under the loads to which it is subject during operation, which loads are comparatively light due to the construction employed and the fact that during operation the rolls tend to separate. It will also be noted that since the bearing blocks are located side by side, they reinforce each other. Conventional selfaligning bearings cannot be used because of the limited space.

As previously stated, the work rolls of the present machine are comparatively long and narrow and deflection thereof during operation of the machine is minimized or eliminated by lower and upper banks of back-up rolls or rollers J and J', respectively. In the present instance, two banks of back-up rollers are employed for each set of work rolls, but it is to be understood that any suitable number thereof may be used depending upon the length of the work rolls, etc. In the present instance, the right and left banks of back-up rollers are identical and the lower and upper banks are similar in construction and are supported somewhat similarly in the respective housings B and D. Only the right-hand banks of back-up rollers are herein shown and described in detail.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that the back-up rollers J for the lower work rolls 10 are interposed between adjacent work rolls in such a manner that each of the work rolls is back by two back-up rollers. The back-up rollers are rotatably supported by anti friction bearings in bearing blocks 21, 28 bolted or otherwise fixedly secured to members 30 adapted to engage the upper side of a compound wedge the machine and comprising relatively movable anaarea 7 members 3i and 32, the outside upper and lower surfaces or which are'inclined in opposite directions transversely of the length of the wedge, thus providing raised edges 33. 34 about which the member 30 may rotate with respect to the wedge and about which the wedge may rotate with respect to a member 35, respectively. The member 33, which is a part of the lower roll housing B, extends the entire length oi. the machine, is bolted to the base A, and forms a support for the wedge K and. in turn, the back-up rollers J.

The upper and lower members 3| and 32 of the wedge K are held in assembled relation with respect to each other by a cooperating tongue and groove, the former of which is formed integral with the member 3|. The wedge K is held in assembled relation with respect to the members 30 and 35 by being partially enclosed in oppositely facing grooves 40 and U in the members 30 and 35. I The members 30 are located side by side upon the member 3| oi the wedge K and are held in assembled position thereon by brackets 43, N bolted to parts of the base A. The front bracket 43 is bolted. as by bolts ",to upwardly extending projections 46 and 41 on the front end of the member 35 and the bracket 44 is bolted to similar projections on the rear end of the member 35.

The back-up rollers J are irictionally driven by the work rolls and, according tothe provisions of the present invention, are continuously held in engagement with the work rolls so as to be driven therewith at all times. For this purpose, the members 30 and, in turn, the back-up rollers J carried thereby are continuously urged towards the work rolls by compression springs 50, two for each member 30, surrounding bolts threaded into suitably tapped apertures adjacent to the ends of the members 30 and projecting downwardly through the member 35. The springs 50 are interposed between the undersides of the members 33 and sleeve-like members 52 adjustably threaded into bushing members 53 fixed in the members 35. The sleeve-like members 52 surround the bolts 3!, however, suilicient clearance is provided to permit limited sidewise movement of the bolts therein. The lower ends of the bolts 5! are provided with jamb nuts 54, 55 which are so positioned with respect to the sleeve-like members 52 that they permit limited longitudinal movement of the bolts relative to the members ii. The construction is such that the members 30 and, in turn, the back-up rollers J carried thereby, are continuously urged into engagement with the work rolls W, are continuously frictionally driven thereby at the same peripheral speed,

and are free to align themselves with the work rolls under all normal conditions of operation.

Movement of the members 30 and, in turn, the back-up rollers J in a direction away from the pass is limited by the compound wedge K comprising the longitudinally movable members 30, 32. For the purpose of varying or adjusting the thickness of the compound wedge, the members 3| and 32 have threaded rods 56 and 57, respectively, formed integral therewith, which rods extend through members 60 and Bi engaged by fixed abutments on the members 35. The adjustment of the respective members is accomplished by nuts threaded on the rods 56' and 51 and engaging opposite sides of the members Bil and BI. The construction is such that the predefiection or the deflection of the work rolls it can be controlled by varying the thickness of the wedge K. Attention is called to the fact that the back-up rollers are individually supported on the '32, 63 and the rear bracket 43' is bolted to the wedge K andindividually urged into continuous contact with the work rolls. with the result that they can individually align themselves with the work rolls and are continuously driven thereby regardless of the conditions existing in the machine at any particular time.

The upper back-up rollers J are similar in construction to the lower back-up rollers J and are supported in the upper .roll hou'singDv in a manner similar to that in which theback-up rollers J are supported in the lower roll housing B and the construction will not'be redescribed in detail. Sufllce it to say that the corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters with a prime mark afllxed thereto, that the brackets 43' and 44' are bolted to transversely extending plates forming a part of the upper roll housing .D in place of the upstanding projections on the member 35, as was the case with respect to the brackets 43 and 44, and that the manner in which the relatively movable parts 3| and 32' ot the wedge K are adjusted is slightly diflerent because of the slightly different construction of the upper roll housing D.

Theiront bracket 43 is bolted to the plates plates 64, 63. The plates 82 and 34 are connected together by a longitudinally extending plate 68 and the plates 63 and 65 are connected together by a similar longitudinally extending plate 61. The member 35' abuts the plates 63 and 31 andto this extent are slightly different in shape from the'member 35. The front end oi the member 32, see'Fig. 3, extends beyond the member 35' which is slightly shorter than the member 35, and the projecting end thereof has an upwardly extending flange through the medium of which the member is adjusted relative to the member 3| by a double ended bolt 63 projecting therethrough and through a part of the upper roll housing D. The adjustment is effected by suitable nuts on the bolt 68. The right-hand end of the member 3! of the wedge K is similarly constructed and the member is adapted to be moved relative to the member 32' in a similar manner by means including a doubleended bolt 10.

As previously stated, the upper and lower sets of work rolls are movable or adjustable relative to each other to vary the height of the pass" therebetween. For this purpose theupper roll housing D is movable vertically with respect to thelower roll housing B. As shown, the upper roll housing D is supported upon the ,lower roll housing B by compression springs 15, one of which is located at each of the four corners of the housings. The springs 15 continuously urge the upper roll housing D in an upward direction, however, upward movement thereof is lim-' ited by rods 16 also located at the respective corners or the housings, which rods are rotatably supported in the upper roll housing D but held against longitudinal movement relative thereto. The lower ends of the rods 16 extend downwardly through the springs 15 into the interior of the lower roll housing B where they are provided wi.h adjustable nuts l1 normally held against rotation by projections 18 on members 30 bolted or otherwise detachably fixed to the lowerroll housing B.

The two rods 18 at the front corners of theme, chine are adapted to be simultaneously rotated to raise or lower the front end of the upper roll housing D by a hand wheel Bi secured to the pro- 7. jecting end of a shaft 82 extending transversely of the machine and rotatably supported in the upper part of the housing 1). The shaft a2 is provided with worms 88 keyed thereto, which worms are continuously in mesh with worm wheels 84 keyed to the rods I8 adjacent to their upper ends. The construction is such that the rods I8 located at the front corners of the machine are simultaneously rotated upon rotation of the hand wheel 8i while the nuts ll are held against rotation by the projection 18 on the member 88. The rods 18 located at the rear corhere, of the machine are adapted to be simultaneously rotated in a similar manner by a hand wheel 8i. Both hand wheels 8| and M are provided with indicating devices, designated gen'erally by the reference character 85, which indicate the height or opening of the pass at either end of the machine. The entrance and exit ends of the pass" may be adjusted individually so that sheets of diiierent gauge may be processed and the corrugations rolled therein at the entnance end of the pass rolled out adjacent to the exit end thereof.

The upper roll housing D is guided in its vertical movement by a plurality of members 88 bolted or otherwise secured to the lower housing B. As shown, the members 86 on the right-hand side of the machine are bolted to the end blocks I5 and I8 and the members 88 at the opposite side of the machineto the corresponding members. The members 88 project upwardly from the lower roll'housing B to a point above the lower portion of the upper roll housing D. In the embodiment shown, the members 88 extend substantially to the top of the end blocks 25 and 28 and their corresponding blocks at the opposite side of the machine. The members 86 at the left-hand side of the machine are provided with vertically positioned keys '81 which engage within suitable keyways in the ends of the upper roll housing D. The keys 81 prevent the upper housing D from shifting transversely of the lower housing B and the members 88 maintain the housings aligned in other respects. Considerable clearance is provided between the upper ends of the members 88 and the portions of the upper roll housing D adjacent thereto as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 7, which clearance permits the upper roll housing D to be tilted incident to adjusting the height of the pass by the hand wheels 8|; and 8I'.

For the purpose of facilitating the feeding of sheet material to the machine, the entrance end of the machine is provided with guide means comprising transverse upper and lower horizontal members 98 and 9|, which members converge towards the rear. Opposite ends of the member 88 are welded to side members 92 which-in turn are bolted to vertical plates or members 83., 0pposite ends'of the member SI are welded directly to the end members 83. The end members 93 are,

in turn, welded to brackets comprising plates 98 wherein corresponding parts are designated by the. same reference characters. Referring to these figures, the work rolls I8 and II are rotatably supported in bearing blocks I88, I8I, respectively, similar in construction to the bearing blocksI8 except for the manner in which they are held in engagement with the longitudinally extending supporting members I82, I88 corresponding with the supporting members 88 and 85, respectively, of the construction shown in the preceding figures. As shown, the bearing block's I88 are provided with'transversely extending horizontal cylindrical apertures I84, the centers of which intersect the center lines of the work rolls I8, through the medium of which apertures the bearing blocks I88 are connected to the frame member I82 by bosses I88 carried by vertically extending members I88 interposed between adjacent bearing blocks I88 and located in suitable grooves I81 formed therein. The lower ends of themembers I86 are welded or otherwise fixed to.the upper ends of bolts I88 projecting downwardly through enlarged openings H8 in the member I82. The lower ends of the bolts I88 are provided with suitable nuts III through the medium of which the bearing blocks I88 may be adjustably held in more or less loose engagement with the cooperating semi-cylindrical surfaces on the longitudinal member I82. In practice the nuts III are so adjusted that the bearing blocks I88 are relatively freeto rotate with respect to the member I82. 'As shown, the upper surface of the member I82 is'cut out as at I I2 to provide clearances for the members I88. The upper bearing blocks I8I are connected to the upper supporting member I83 in a manner similar to that in which the bearing blocks I88 are connected to the member I82 and the conand pivotally connecting each pair to an individual mounting.

From the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment, it is believed that the operation of the machine disclosed will be apparent and it will be seen that the objects heretofore enumerated and others have been accomplished and that there has been provided a novel and improved roller leveler capable of processing sheet material at higher speeds than heretofore pos. sible. The fact that the roll necks are relatively larger for any given size of roll, or, conversely,

and 95, which brackets are detachably bolted to the' members 88 at the front of the machine.

The upper surface of the member 9| is preferably provided with a facing 96 of some wear-resisting material, such as Micarta." The rear end of the machine is provided with a transversely extending shelf 81 for assisting in guiding the material as it leaves the pass.

The preferred embodiment of the invention described is merely illustrative of the invention" and a modified construction for supporting the work rolls while permitting individual limited adjustment thereof is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 the diameters, of the roll are smaller for any given size of roll neck, permits the machine to be operated at a faster speed while performing any given amount of work or flexing than was possible with prior machines used for the same purpose. It will also be apparent that-adequate provision has been made for takingcare of deflection and predeflection of the rolls. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction shown and described, and it is my intention to hereby cover all adaptations, modifications and uses thereof which come within the practice of those rolls skilled in' the art to which the invention relates and within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention; I claim:

1. In a roller leveler of the character described, the combination 01" a plurality of generally parallel rolls arranged one behind the other and means for supporting said rolls comprising a plurality of adjoining members arranged one behind the other and independently and indirectly movable by work passing through the machine about axes extending transversely of the axes of rotation of the rolls.

2. In a roller leveler of the character described, the combination of a plurality of generally parallel rolls arranged one behind the other and means for supporting said rolls comprising a plurality of members located side by side, one for each of said rolls, said members being arranged one behind the other and independently movable about axes extending transversely of the axes of rotation of the rolls.

3. In a roller leveler of the character described,

the combination of a plurality of generally parallel rolls arranged one behind the other and means for supporting the adjacent ends of said rolls comprising a plurality of members located side by side and independently movable about axes extending transversely of the axes of rotation of the rolls.

4. In a roller leveler of the character described, the combination of a plurality of generally parallel rolls arranged one behind the other and means for supporting the adjacent ends of said rolls comprising a plurality of members, one for each of said rolls, arranged side by side and independently movable about axes extending transversely of the axes of rotation of s the rolls.

5. In a roller leveler of the character described, the combination of two sets of work rolls arranged in offset relation to define a sinuous pass therebetween and means for supporting a plurality of said rolls comprising a plurality of members located side by side and arranged one behind the other and independently movable about axes extending transversely of the axes of rotation of the rolls.

6. In a roller leveler of the character de-- scribed, the combination of two sets of work rolls arranged in offset relation to define a sinuous pass therebetween and means for supporting a plurality of said rolls comprising a plurality of members, one for each of the rolls, located side by side and arranged one behind the other and independently movable about axes extending transversely of the axes 7. In a roller leveler of the character described. the combination of: two sets of work rolls arranged in offset relation to define a sinuous pass therebetween; and means for supporting the adjacent ends of a plurality of said rolls comprising a plurality of members, one for each of the rolls, located side by side and arranged one behind the other and independently movable about axes extending transversely of the axes of rotation of the rolls.

8. In a roller leveler of the character described, the combination of: two sets of work arranged in offset relation to define a sinuous pass therebetween; means for supporting the adjacent ends of the rolls of each set; said means comprising sets of members located side by side and arranged one behind the other and independently movable about axes extending of rotation of the rolls.'

transversely of the axes of rotation of the rolls.

9. In a roller leveler of the character described, the combination of: a housing, a set of generally parallel rollers arranged one behind 10. In a roller leveler of the character described, the combination of: two relatively adjustable roll housings; sets of tandem arranged generally parallel rolls, one set for each of said roll housings; and means for supporting opposite plurality of members ing and said members ends of each of said sets of rolls in their respective roll housings; each of said means comprising a plurality of members arranged side by side and individually movable about axes extending transversely of the axes of rotation of the rolls.

11. In a roller leveler of the characterdescribed, the combination of: a housing; a plurality of members located side by side; said housing and said members having adjoining transversely curved surfaces; and a plurality of generally parallel work rolls arranged one behind the other and having their adjacent ends rotatably carried by said members.

12. In a roller leveler of the character described, the combination of: a. housing; a plurality of closely spaced small diameter generally parallel work rolls; and means comprising a located side by side for said housing; said houshaving adjoining curved surfaces whereby said members may move independently of each other about axes extending transversely of the axes of rotation of the rolls.

13. In a roller leveler of the character, described, the combination of: a frame comprising upper and lower roll housings; upperand lower sets of work rolls each set comprising a plurality of small diameter generally parallel work rolls arranged in substantially the same plane: said housing comprising bearing surfaces curved in a direction transversely of the axes of rotation ofthe rolls; and means including a plurality of members located side by side and having curved bearing surfaces engaging the curved bearing surfaces of said frame for rotatably supporting said work rolls of each set in closely spaced relation.

14. In a scribed, the tively small comprising supporting said rolls in arranged substantially in the same plane and offset with respect to the rolls of the other set so as to form therewith a sinuous path for material to be worked; a frame comprising upper and lower roll housings having bearing surfaces curved about axes extending in a direction at right angles to the. direction of the axes of the work rolls; a plurality of sets of members, one set for each end of said sets of work rolls, each set of members comprising a plurality of members located side by side and having curved bearing surfaces engaging one of the curved bearing surfaces on said frame; yieldable means for continuously urging said members in a direction to engage the curved bearing surfaces onsaid frame; and means for rotatably supporting said work rolls in said members.

15. In a roller leveler of the character described, the combination of: two sets of relatively small diameter long work rolls each set roller leveler of the character decomprising a plurality of closely spaced rolls arranged substantially in the same plane and oiiset with respect to the rolls of the other set so as to form therewith a sinuous path for material to be worked; means including aframe comprising upper and lower roll housings having bearing surfaces curved about axes extending at right angles to the axis of the work rolls for supporting said work rolls; a plurality of sets of members, one set for each end of said sets of work rolls; each of said sets of members comprising a plurality of members located side by side and having curved bearing surfaces engaging one of the curved bearing surfaces on said frame; means for pivotally connecting said members to set comprising a plurality of closely spaced'rolls arranged substantially in the. same plane and oilset with respect to the rolls of the other set so as to form therewith a sinuous path for material passing therebetween, means for rotatahli supporting said work rolls in said frame, a pinrality of back-up rolls engaging said work rolls, means for supporting said back-up rolls for individual movement towards and from said work rolls, means for limiting the movement of said back-up rolls in a direction away from said work rolls, and means for continuously urgingsaid said frame for movement about said curved surwork rolls in said members.

16. In a roller leveler of the character d scribed. the combination of: two sets of relatively small diameter long work rolls each set comprisfaces, and means for rotatably supporting say 'ing a plurality of closely spaced rolls arranged substantially in the sameplane and ofiset with respect to the rolls of the other set so as to form therewith a sinuous path; means for supporting said work rolls; said means including a frame comprising upper and lower roll housings having elongated bearing surfaces curved about axes extending at right angles to the axis of the work rolls; a plurality of sets of members, one set for each end of said sets of work rolls; each set of members comprising a plurality of members located side by side and having curved bearing surfaces engaging one of said curved bearing surfaces on said frame; means for rotatably supporting said work rolls in said members; a pinrality of back-up rolls engaging said work rolls; means for supporting said back-up rolls for individual movement towards and from said work rolls; means for limiting the movement of said back-up rolls in a direction away from said work rolls; and yieidable means for continuously urging said back-up rolls in a direction to engage said work rolls.

17. In a roller leveler of the character described, the combination of a frame, two sets of relatively small diameter long work rolls each back-up rolls in a direction to engage said-work rolls. 4

18. In a roller leveler of the character described, the oombination of a frame, two sets of relatively small diameter long work rolls each set comprising a plurality of closely spaced rolls arranged substantially in the same plane and offset with respect to the rolls of the other set so as to form therewith a sinuous path, means for rotatably supporting said work rolls in said frame, a, plurality of back-up rolls engaging said work rolls, individual housings for said back-up rolls, means for supporting said back-up roll housings for individual universal movement relative to said work rolls, means for limiting the movement of said back-up roll-housings in a direction away from said work rolls, and means for continuously urging each of said back-up roll housings in a direction to engage said work rolls.

LLOYD R. THOMAS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATE$ PATENTS Number Name Date 1,911,321 Long May 30, 1933 1,970,911 Hartmann Aug. 21,1934 2,295,017 Shields Sept. 8, 1942 2,365,114 Shields Dec. 12, 1944 1,697,090 Russell Jan. 1, 1929 2,254,461 Todd -i Sept. 2, 1941 2,091,789 Maussnest Aug. 31, 1937 2,219,163 Maussnest Oct. 22, 1940 

